Kay Bishop: 100 years of a life well lived

In the early 1900s, Michael Pollack immigrated to the United States from Czechoslovakia and made his home in New York City (NYC). It was there, at a dance in his Slovak neighborhood, that he met Elizabeth, who soon became his wife.  

Michael took a job as a night watchman at an office building in NYC, while Elizabeth cleaned houses by day. Somehow, the Pollacks were able to purchase a farm in West Groton, and they added four daughters to their family: Josephine, Helen, Mary and Katherine.   

After a while, Michael was a bit unsure about farm life. He sold the farm and the family returned to NYC for a few years before deciding to come back to West Groton. As circumstances would have it, they were able to regain possession of the same farm they had left, and it was there that their son, Mike, was added to the group of siblings. Mike, who still lives on the West Groton farm with his wife, Betty, will turn 95 later this year.

Katherine (Kay) Elizabeth Pollack (now Bishop) is the only one of those sisters who is still alive today. On April 28, 1923, the local doctor journeyed to the farmhouse in a horse-drawn buggy to deliver Kay. Now, her own children and family are looking forward to celebrating her 100th birthday with her this April 28!  

Kay married Richard Bishop on February 10, 1944, and together they had four children: John, Tom, Jim and Nancy. Tom has passed away, but the other siblings and their families are delighted to honor their mother on her milestone birthday – particularly Nancy (Brown), whom many will remember as a 30-year teacher at Groton Elementary School.  

A life that has lasted for 100 years is filled with history and poignant stories. Nancy supplied as much of that as she could remember on Kay’s behalf, and it was truly delightful to hear.  

“Born of first-generation immigrants, Mom spoke only Slovak until becoming of school age,” Nancy said. “Even to this day, she occasionally speaks Slovak in her conversations.”  

 Until she reached seventh grade, Kay walked to a one-room country schoolhouse on the corner of Cobb Street and West Groton Road, which was not a short distance. She recalled a time when her mom walked to meet her halfway, bringing along a snack of homemade fried chicken.  

“Groton’s public school back then was where the Schoolhouse Garden Apartments are now,” Nancy explained, “and it was there that she and my dad began dating in March of their senior year of high school in 1941.”  

It was that time when WWII broke out, so after her graduation, Kay worked in both a factory in Elmira and at Smith Corona in Groton, supporting the war effort. She then studied at a cosmetology school in Syracuse, after which she worked in the salon in Edward’s Department Store in Syracuse for two years.  

Meanwhile, Richard served in the United States Marine Corps as a master technical sergeant in the battles of the South Pacific.  

In February 1944, Richard came home on a seven-day furlough. He and Kay were married, had a three-day honeymoon in Auburn, New York, and then never saw one another again for the next 14 months.   

After the war, the Bishops purchased their farm on Chipman’s Corners Road. They had a thriving dairy farm for many decades, which was later taken over by their sons, John and Jim.   

Kay selflessly devoted much of her life supporting and caring for her disabled son, Tom, but she also had many responsibilities on the farm, including keeping the books and helping to feed and care for the cows, and sometimes pigs and chickens. She enjoyed gardening in her flower beds and vegetable garden.   

“Every day Mom delighted in cooking and baking wonderful meals for her family and farm help,” Nancy said. “Our family was very close with one another and very family oriented. We all helped with chores in the barn, and when we were doing chores out in the field, Mom would come out there and bring lemonade and homemade meals. We ate three meals a day, too, and always together as a family.” 

Later in life, Kay and Richard were fortunate to be able to travel extensively across the globe to destinations throughout Europe and Asia, North and South America, northern Africa, and the South Pacific before Richard’s death in August 2007.  

“I still remember what Mom said on the day my dad passed,” Nancy said. “She said, ‘We were married for 63 years, and it wasn’t enough.’”   

“Richard and Kay were the beginning of a beautiful family of four children, 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren,” Nancy said. “Over the years, as a mom, grandma, and great-grandma, she has played an integral part in their loving care and lives.”  

Kay was able to live happily in her own home until the age of 95. She now resides at the Groton Community Healthcare Center,120 Sykes St., Unit 1, Room 117. Her family would be delighted if anyone who would like to would send Kay a card to wish her a happy and healthy 100th birthday!  

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922.  

In brief:  

Groton Senior Club monthly meeting  

The Groton Senior Club will hold its monthly lunch and meeting at the Center Village Court housing complex on Wednesday, April 26, beginning at 12:15 p.m. All are welcome, both men and women, and the event is open to senior citizens from anywhere, not just Groton. Membership is $12 per year for those who would like to join.   

Everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass, $1 to help cover the cost of supplies, and your own place setting for the meal. Lunch will officially begin at 12:30 p.m., followed by entertainment. 

Groton Rural Cemetery  

The Groton Rural Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting for lot owners at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at the Masonic Building at the corner of Main Street and Lincoln Avenue. This meeting will be followed by the annual meeting of the association’s board of trustees.  

A Message from Groton Fire Department and Ambulance  

Do you and your family like to explore the Groton Trail System or the many other trails of Tompkins County? Download the “what3words” app on your smartphone to be prepared if you need help. This app uses your phone’s GPS to pinpoint your exact location to give to 911 dispatchers so we can find you.